Andy Cohen Said the ‘Door Is Still Open’ After Liz McGraw Announced Her Exit From ‘RHORI’
Andy Cohen is sad to see Liz McGraw leave RHORI. After the widely celebrated first season of The Real Housewives of Rhode Island came to a conclusion, McGraw announced that she would not return for the new season. Andy Cohen announced that she is welcome to return to the show if she wants to.
Liz McGraw said she will not return for the second season of ‘RHORI’
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island has begun filming its second season. After a short period of speculation, McGraw announced that she will not return to the show.
“I’m full of gratitude for the amazing opportunity to appear on this show,” she wrote on Instagram. “As filming for Season 2 begins, I have made the decision to take a step back and focus on my family, my work and my passions.”
She said that though she is not returning, she will watch the upcoming season and cheer on her former castmates.
“The RHORI cast is an amazing group of women who have created something special,” she wrote. “I’ll be watching next season, rooting for the continued success of this franchise. For now, I will look forward to enjoying this little corner of the world from the other side of the camera.”
Andy Cohen said Liz McGraw is welcome to return to ‘RHORI’
While McGraw began the show as a fan favorite, some viewers began to turn on her following disagreements with Alicia Carmody and Jo-Ellen Tiberi. She began receiving hate on social media, which she addressed in a video. She noted that people have called her a variety of names and showed up “at the end of the driveway, harassing the kids through messages, it’s a lot and I would be lying if I said it didn’t bruise.”
It’s possible that this has played a role in her decision to leave the show. Still, she helped drive a number of storylines. Cohen made it clear that she is welcome back if she wants to return.
“The door is always open,” he wrote on Instagram. “Just sayin’!”
Her close friend faces felony drug and fraud charges
Shortly before she announced her exit, McGraw also fell under scrutiny after her close friend, Dino Guilmette, declined to take a plea deal on felony charges. McGraw faced rumors of having an affair with Guilmette during her season, which she emphatically denied.
He faces seven felony charges and one misdemeanor charge. Per The Providence Journal, these range from drug dealing to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief money to conspiracy. He recently rejected the state’s fourth and final plea deal, meaning that his case will go to trial in July. He would have avoided prison time if he had accepted the plea. If a jury finds him guilty, however, he could face 88 years in prison. Guilmette maintains his innocence.
